Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF), a leadership development organization in the foodservice sector, and the award's sponsor, Ecolab, have recognized Catherine Kayser as the 2014 Leadership Award recipient. Kayser is market president of Sysco's Northeast broadline operations in the United States.

"For many years, Ecolab has supported the WFF's vision of advancing women in foodservice through our annual sponsorship of the Leadership Award," says Ecolab Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. "We applaud the efforts of Catherine Kayser to foster individual growth and help make foodservice an industry of opportunity for women, both now and in the future."

The WFF Leadership Award is given each year to a woman executive in the foodservice industry who shows exceptional leadership qualities within her company and the industry at large, and whose professional growth and achievements are recognized through career advancement.

"All of us at Sysco are proud of Catherine Kayser for earning this highest level of recognition among women in the foodservice industry," says Bill DeLaney, president and CEO of Sysco. "Her nearly two decades at Sysco includes a long list of professional achievements, a history of creating and motivating high-performing teams, and a track record of demonstrating courageous leadership all while supporting and motivating her teammates toward greater professional growth and success."

"Catherine Kayser is exactly what we have envisioned as a recipient for this year's Leadership Award," says Anna Mason, general manager and vice president of operations, WFF. "She has supported our leadership development programs and has become an excellent role model for the women of the foodservice industry, Sysco, and WFF."

For the past 15 years, Kayser has been an innovator in the foodservice field, continually supporting efforts behind diversity and inclusion, and directly assisting women in their professional career growth at Sysco. She has had lasting influence on internal leaders and teams through her cultivation of their career goals and development.